BOB PRATTE: Unique gas station restaurant sits idle

Moses Karimi uniquely built a restaurant with a view atop his Chevron gas station in Valle Vista. Unfortunately, it has been closed for several years. He plans to reopen, hopefully with a franchise operator.

A cafe built atop a gas station would be unique anywhere. Iâve never heard of a restaurant on a gas station anywhere. Neither has gas station owner Moses Karimi, but he imagines there are a few somewhere in the United States. I couldnât find any with Internet searches.

It is in a great location, the juncture of the Ramona Expressway and busy Highway 74, east of Hemet, to attract travelers interested in the unique experience of enjoying a meal atop a gas station with a spectacular view. The place should be famous.

Hopefully Karimi will be able to reopen by yearâs end. Managing a dozen cafe employees, debating construction problems with a builder and managing a gas station, all while commuting from San Dimas, took a toll on Karimi, who decided to close four years after its 2007 opening.

âWe decided to wrap it up,â Karimi said of the Eastside Cafe restaurant, which was designed, along with gas station complex, by architect Nasser Mughadam. âWe havenât been aggressive about getting it going again.â

Its second-story setting makes good use of rooftop space and provides spectacular view of Mt. San Gorgonio to the north, Idyllwild and the San Jacinto Mountains to the east and gorgeous Valle Vista citrus belt to the south.

The San Jacinto Valley largely is a one-story place. The only other upstairs restaurant with a great view is at the Country Club at Soboba Springs.

Stepping up to Karimiâs restaurant leaves diners at treetop level and away from the bustle on the ground. Every building should have a rooftop patio. Itâs a smart use of space.

The restaurant has a tiled, outdoor patio and an indoor dining area with view windows. It is reached by stairs or a big elevator. His large, commercial kitchen is downstairs, right by the cash registers where customers pay for gas, cigarettes, lottery tickets and the San Jacinto Valleyâs best iced tea.

A grill, frying area, stove and convection oven, all commercial grade, are idle. His drive-through lane now is used for employee parking.

Entering the restaurant was unique. Diners, who parked in spaces near his pumps, reach the spectacular setting by walking through his mini mart.

He said people continue to ask about the cafe. I miss it.

Karimiâs plan is to lease the space, hopefully to a franchise holder of a name-brand restaurant such as El Pollo Loco or the very popular Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

I pick Five Guys.

In the meantime, the unique rooftop restaurant space is not completely going to waste. It sometimes is used by people waiting for their vehicles to be serviced. It may be the worldâs most unique auto-repair waiting lounge.

When we spoke, two women enjoyed their wait.

They were upstairs on the patio, taking in the view on the sunny day and sipping wine.

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